SMITHFIELD, Va., July 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods' hog production division has been named by the American Red Cross as its 2014-15 Outstanding Community Partner of the Year for its support of the Red Cross's mission in eastern North Carolina.
The company's hog production division based in Warsaw, North Carolina, has been a partner in the American Red Cross's Ready When the Time Comes® (RWTC) program since 2013. Each year, the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters nationwide. As an RWTC partner, Smithfield participates in both disaster preparedness and response activities in eastern North Carolina.
Smithfield also was recognized for investing in the Red Cross mission by providing financial support and hosting blood drives at company locations. At the Red Cross Gala & Auction last March, Smithfield challenged attendees to make a charitable contribution through a $5,000 matching gift. The matching gift challenge was exceeded, raising nearly $15,000 in support of local Red Cross programs and services.
"All of us at Smithfield are very proud of our strong partnership with the American Red Cross, and being good neighbors in our local communities. We have worked very well together to make our communities safer, and our employees really enjoy working with the Red Cross team to be Ready When the Time Comes," said Don Butler, director of government relations for Smithfield Foods.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan's Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.